Knitting machine



(N0 Mo d el.) M 7 Sheets-Sheet 1. L. P. GRAMMES & G. R. IBACH.

KNITTING MA'GHINB. No. 308,841. 5 Patented Dec. 2, 1884.

N, PETERS. mmmo mrfwswn m. o. c.

( o Model) L. F. GRAMMES & G. R. IBAOH.

7 Sheets-Sheet- 4.

KNITTING MACHINE.

Patented Dec. 2, 1884.

I Z w (No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 5.

L. P. GRAMMBS 8: G. R. IBAGH. KNITTING MACHINE.

No. 308,841. 7 Patented Dec. 2, 1884.

: Elli! I??? N. Finns, Plwtomhngnphar, Walhlngknn. u.c.

(No Model.) A 7 Sheets-Sheet- 6.

L. F. GRAMMES & G. R. IBAGH. KNITTING MACHINE.

N0. 308,84. Paftgl 'ggt l gec. Z, 1884. ag'a flm x ugmum iiirnn warns PATENT FFiQE.

LE\VIS F. GRAMMES AND GIDEON R. IBACH, OF ALLENTO\VN, PA.

KNITTING-MACHINE.

BPECIIE'ICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 308,841, dated December 2, 1884.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, LEwIs F. GRAMMES and Cannon E. IBAcH, citizens of the United States, residing at Allentown, in the county of Lehigh and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knitting-Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is aside elevation of a knitting-machine embodying our improvements, a portion of the base being represented as broken away. Fig. 2 is a like viewof the side opposite that shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4 are elevations of the inside of the cam-cylinder laid flat. Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of the base and adjacent parts,hereinafter described. Fig. 6 is a detail illustrating a switch employed for diverting needles from a working to an idle track. Fig. 7 is a sectional illustration of the tension devices and the means employed in adjusting them. Fig. Sis a modification hereinafter described. Figs. 9 to are detail views of the rib-top or dial mechanism. Fig. 16 is aside elevation of the needle cylinder. Figs. 17 and 18 are enlarged details of the same. Figs. 19 and 20 are a plan and a detail, respectively, of the modification illustrated in part by Fig. 8. Fig. 21is a side elevation of the levers employed for operating the switch illustrated in Fig. 6. Fig. 22 is a side elevation and plan of a spring-gate. Fig. 23 is a plan of the spring and a perspective of the bracket employed therewith. Fig. 24c is a side elevation and plan of the looper. Fig. 25 is a plan of a portion of the same as it appears when it is being withdrawn from a needle.- Fig. 26 is a plan, and Fig. 27 a side elevation,of a looper and needles in the act of transferring the loop from the dial-needles to the cylinder-needles.

Like letters refer to like parts in all the figures.

Our invention relates to that class of knitting-machines which are known as circular, and which comprises a stationary needle-cyL inder, a rotary cam-cylinder, and dial-needles or rib-top mechanism so arranged relative to the needle-cylinder that the dial-needles and cylinder-needles may cooperate to produce the well-known rib-top in stockings or other cylindrical knit-work-as jacket-sleeves and tubular parts of other knit goods.

The objects of our invention are to modify the construction of certain parts of the machine, so as to enable it to withstand longcontinued service without undue wear of the parts; to facilitate access to and separation of certain devices employed in the machine without the necessity of taking the whole of the machine apart; to give full control of certain sets of devices employed intermittingly during the operation of knitting astocking without undue delay in the operation of the machine, and to provide means whereby the stitches of the dial-needles may be automatically transferred to the cylinder-needles, whereby the complete operation of knitting astocking may be performed upon one and the same machine without materially interfering with its continuous operation.

Other objects and advantages of our invention' will appear in the following description and the novel features thereof will be specitically set forth in the claims.

A represents a suitable base, which is provided with the usual extension, whereby it is adapted to be secured to any table or bench by any desired means, such extension not being shown in this case. \Vithin a recess'in theupper surface of the base is a ring, B, having a gear, B, formed upon its under surface. WVith this gear avertical gear beveled to mesh with the gear 13 is employed to give motion to the ring B, as is usual in this class of machines, said gear being notshown. Upon the ring B is another ring, B which we term a yarn-carrier-operating ring, (see Fig. 5,) having slots b, (shown clearly in Fig. 5 and by, dotted lines in Fig. 1,) which are located at the inner edge of the ring-that is, that edge which comes in contact with the cam-cylinder G, which cylinder is adapted to rest upon the base A at A, Fig. 5, and upon the ring 13*.

(See dotted lines 0 in said Fig. 5.)

Heretofore cam-cylindcrs have rested upon the base, as at A, alone,which was a comparatively restricted space. By the employment of the ring 13* we are enabled to increase the bearing-surface of the cam-cylinder by projecting it over and upon the ring B", as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 5, and thus secure a broader bearingsurface and a firmer founda tion of the cam-cylinder,whereby it is less liable to wear out of the true vertical line, and thus become out of parallelism with the needlecylinder, and we therefore consider the introduction of the ring 13 an essential adj unet.

A represents a bracket formed as a part of the base A, and projecting inwardly toward the center thereof. Opposite the bracket A is another similar bracket, (not shown in this case,) and on these the needle-cylinder rests, and is seen red by screws or any other suit-able means. 7 i

As thus far described it will be seen that by any usual vertical gear meshing with B the rings B B and the cam-cylinder resting thereon may be rotated in either direction, and partially rotated in either direction, and that the needle-cylinder,secured to the brackets AS, will remain stationary. The cam-cylinder in this instance is provided with two working and two idle needle-tracks, and is thus adapted to be used in connection with two series or sets of needles, long and short, and it is provided with means for throwing the needles of either set from a working to an idle track, and from the latter to the former, as desired,-whereby in narrowing or widening the product of the machine, and in knitting the heel and toe portions of a stocking, neeedlcs may be thrown out of and be brought into operation as required. The idle and working tracks are formed by internally-projecting flanges on the cam-cylinder, and these may be,as desircd,either cast thereon, or made separate therefrom and secured thereto.

0 represents the upper working track, and O the lower working track.

c and 0 represent, respectively, the upper and lower idle tracks of the cam-cylinder.

G represents a gate or movable section of the working track, which (by loosening a thumb-nut, c, and liftingupwardly its stem, the inner end of which is secured to the gate and passes through the body of the cylinder in a diagonal slot, 0') is lifted and carried to one side, so as to open a passage, 0, through which needles may be passed from the track 0 to the idle track 0.

C represents a spring-gate, which is a removable portion of the idle track or flange c, or it may be of a similar flange formed on or secured to the inner wall of the cylinder, and located above the working track 0'. By pushing the springgates outwardly, needles may be passed from the idle track 0 to the working track 0, and from the latter to the former.

The specific construction of the spring-gates is clearly illustrated in Figs. 22 and n3. The wall of the cylinder is slotted in line with the flange or track which is to be provided with a spring-gate; In this slot the gate 0* is inserted, and has an interior conformation agreeing with the flange, so that when pressed inwardly in its closed position it forms a continnation of the flange or track.

To the outer wall of the cylinder G, about midway of the slot, is secured a bracket, 0, comprising a post, 0, adapted to enter a slot, 0, formed in the gate, and two heads, 0 which are adapted to bear against a slotted spring, 0 The bracket is secured to the cylinder by means of the screw 0. Pins 0 are passed through the endsof the gate, which may, by the use of a hook or any suitable tool inserted between the wall of the cylinder and the pins, serve to temporarily draw the gate partially out of the cylinder, so that needles may be passed by the flanges into and out of the working tracks. The slotted spring 0 has a branch, a, perforated for the passage of the screw 0", and an aperture, 0, for the passage therethrough of a pin (not shown) projecting from the inner wall of the bracket, so that the single screw 0 serves to hold the parts in operative position, the tendency of the spring being to hold the gate projecting inwardly and permitting of its intermittent withdrawal at desired times.

Referring to Figs. 1, 3, 6, and 21, .D is a lever pivoted at d to the outer surface of the cam-cylinder. The lever is anchor-shaped, and is connected by bell-crank levers D D" to arms D and D, which are secured to rock shafts D D, which pass through the cam-cylinder and are connected with switches D and D (See Fig. 6.) The pivot (2 passes through a slot formed in the wall of the cylinder, so

that the anchor-lever may be raised and low cred as well as moved laterally upon the pivot. The shorter arms of the bell-crank levers D D are pivotally connected with rods D D", which are encircled with coil-springs adapted to abut against any suitable projection on the cylinder, so as to act downwardly upon said shorter crank-arms. 13y connecting the rods to the shorter arms of the bell-crank levers the resistance of the sp "ings is directed outside of the points of pivotal attachment of said levers to the main anchor-lever D. This result may be secured by pivoting the rods to the levers D D at any point thereon between their ends and pivots, as shown by dotted lines at D*, Fig. 21.

D represents a plate, or it may be a portion of the surface of the cylinder, having three apertures, (1 (shown in Fig. 21 by dotted lines,) or depressions located and adapted v to receive a pin, d, (see Fig. 6,) projecting from the inner surface of the anchor-lever D, so that when raised and moved laterally in either direction said pin may be inserted into the apertures and the lever retained in a desired position, and elevated or depressed, as oocasion may require. The switches D D are rig idly mounted upon the rock-shafts D D", respectively, and to the pivot d of the anchorlever is rigidly secured a triangular section, D, of the lower working track in the cylinder. Now, it will be seen that when the anehor-lever is raised the section D is also raised, and when tilted to the left, bringing the lever as shown in Fig. 6, which, being an interior view, shows the lever tilted to the right, the bell-crank lever D and an arm, D,

are depressed, and the switch D connected with said arm, is at its inner end elevated so that its point comes in contact with the section D, while the opposite levers and arms are raised, as shown by dotted lines, and the opposite switch, D is lowered, so that taking the lower edge of the section D as being on the dotted line X, and the upper edge of the switch D as being on the dotted line Y, there is a passage formed leading from the working track 0 to the idle track 0, so that when the cylinder is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow needles are conducted from the track (3 down said passage to the track e. By an opposite lateral movement and a similar vertical movement of the anchor-lever a similar passage is opened, so that when the cylinder is rotated in the opposite direction needles may be conducted from track to track, as already stated. This mechanism is employed in the act of reducing the number of needles used in knitting the heels and toes of stockings, when, as is customary in this class of machines, the cam-cylinder is partially rotated in opposite directions. The working tracks 0 C have the usual depressions, 0", along the inclines of which the needles travel in the act of forming loops. At the commencement of the depressions there are located switches E, mounted upon shafts or rods 0, passing through the walls of the cam-cylinder, and having mounted thereon arms 6, Fig. 1, to the outer ends of which are pivotally secured rods 6 encircled by coiled springs e, which abut against astud or bracket, 6*, formed 011 or secured to the outer wall of the cam-cylinder, and which are perforated for the passage therethrough-of the rods 6 so that the position of the switches E is closed.

Between the surface of the cylinder and the arms 6 is a plate, E, which is held in position by one of the lugs e, 'passing through a slot, 0 in said plate, and by a bracket, 6, secured to the cylinder. The lower end of the plate E is formed as a dog, E, to ride upon the ring B. The plate E is provided with projections 0 which come in contact with the lower surfaces of the arms 6. 1t will be noticed that the dogs E" of the opposite plates project toward each other, and are adapted to drop into the slots I) of the ring I?) alternatelythat is to say, said slots are arranged at such a distance apart that only one of them can be occupied bya dog at one and the same time, and the ring 13 is marginally grooved, as at B Fig. 1, so as to come in contact with the base of the yarn-carrier, so that the ring 13 may have amovement independent of the geared ring B for a distance slightly less than onequarter of its circumference. Now it will be seen that as the cam-cylinder is rotated in opposite directions one or the other of the dogs E will be forced by the pressure of the arms enpon the lugs e (such pressure being occasioned by the springs 6 down into one or the other of the slots I), and thus the arms e will be allowed to fall, so that the switches E, connected therewith,- will be closed at the entrance to the depression in the tracks 0 G, as .shown at left of Fig. 3, while the switches at the opposite higher point of the depression will be opened, as shown at dotted lines at the right of Fig. 3, by reason of the dog E connected therewith, being held upon the upper surface of the ring B", and therefore needles may be passed beneath the switches and upon the main portion of the tracks. In entering the depression the needles are carried upwardly from the main portion of the tracks, over the closed switch,.and then downwardly along the incline surfaces of the fixed needle, depressing cam-sections F until they come in contact with an opposite incline and pass beneath its switch to and along the main portion of the track, as above described.

. In this instance a rotating disk, F, is inserted in a plane common with the sections F of the cam, so as to form its lowest needle-depressing point, and so that when the needle is in contact therewith the disk rotates by reason of said contact and the bodily movement of the needle, and in this manner a rolling contact is secured between the parts, so that friction and wear are greatly reduced. The disks F are secured to concentric spindles f, (see Fig. 7,) mounted in the sleeve f, the head f of which rests in a groove,j, formed in the inner surface of the cam-cylinder, which is slotted, as at f, for the passage therethrough of the spindle and sleeve. A pin, f", passes through the bodyof the sleeve and rests in a circumferential groove in the body of the spindle, to prevent its longitudinal removal therefrom. The outer surface of the outer portion of the spindleis screw-threaded for the reception of a nut, F". On the outer surface of the cam-cylinder is a groove, f, in which a wash er or projection of aconnecting strap, f, rests and may move. \Vithin this groove f, or rather within a deeper one, f therein, the head f of the bolt or stud f is placed, the outer end of which bolt is screw-threaded for the reception of the nutF, so that the two straps f are connected with each other at that point by reason of the bolt f passing through a longitudinal slot, f", in the two straps, as clearly shown. The upper nut, F", in this instance is shaped as a bracket, and in this bracket is a screw-threaded adjust-ingnut, F, the grooved head of which is supported in a bracket, F formed on or secured to the outer surface of the cam-cylinder The object of these details of construction, to which, by the way, we do not limit our invention so far as mechanical skill may suggest minor changes therein, is to provide perpendicular adj ustment for one or both of the tensiondisks F, either singly or conjointly.

\Vhen the parts are in the position shown in QFig. 7, the turning of the adjusting-nut 1* raises or lowers both of the disks through the medium of the connectingstraps f, the bolt f" moving in the deeper slot, or, as de- IIO scribed, it may be in the slot f. 'When it is desired 'to adjust the lower disk independently of the upper, the lower nuts, F F", are loosened, and said disk is raised or lowered by proper pressure applied to the nut-sleeve and spindle thereof, when said nut is tightened and the sleeve is firmly bound in its slot from displacement,while the disk and its concentric spindle is at liberty to rotate. W'hen thus adjusted, the nut F is again tightened, and the straps firmly bound together.

In the lower track, 0 is located a latch, G, Fig. i, mounted upon a shaft, 9, passing through the wall of the cylinder, and having mounted rigidly thereon, outside of said wall, a lever, G", Fig. 2, having a pin, 9, project ing toward the wall of the cylinder, and adapted to be set into depressions only one of which depressions is shown.

In close proximity to the latch G is a depending triangular fixed cam, G, arranged above the working track 0". By these devices the latch G may be raised to cause the needles in'the track Gto be lifted up and to be thrown into contact with the cam G down the incline of which they pass as the cam-cylinder is rotated. The object of this construction is that the needles in said track may be raised by the latch G to such a height that the latch of the needle may be passed through the loop of the yarn thereon and the needle immediately depressed, so that said loop may be delivcred from the needle, and as said needle advances to the section D and switch D it may be carried downwardly into the idle track 0, free from yarn.

In the wall of the cylinder, between the switch D and the cam G, orit may be at any other desired point at or near the lower edge of said wall, is an opening, H, (which may or may not beprovided with any suitable door,) which, when open, exposes the needle cylinder to view, and gives access to the grooves thereof, for the purpose of removing broken pieces of needles, thus obviating the necessity of taking the machine apart for that purpose.

Our needle-cylinder consists of a plain cylindrical casting, l, Figs. 16 to 19, having at its lower end two interior lugs, I, which are adapted to rest upon the bracket A of the base A, and to be secured thereto by screws or bolts, passing through the latter and screwthreaded into the former, or in any other suitable manner. The cylinder is also provided at its upper end with an inwardly-projecting lug, 1 for a purpose hereinafter stated. The upper end is also beveled inwardly, for an easy passage of the product of the machine down into and through the cylinder, as is customary. The base of the cylinder, in order to conform to the construction shown in Fig. 5, is reduced in thickness, so as to form a shoulder, 1, Fig. 16, to rest upon the flange A of the base A; but hereinafter a difference of construction will be set forth in a modification. The upper end of the cylinder is reduced eX- tcriorally, to form a shoulder, l. The needlegrooves i, extend from end to end of the cylinder, and form ashoulder, I", thereon to its upper end. Said grooves are expanded and the remaining metal beveled. The metal is cut away, to enlarge the grooves, and form parti tions 1" and inwardlyslanting shoulders i as more clearly shown in Figs. 17 and 18. The objects of this construction are twofold, one being to give greater space for the introduction of an ordinary needlehook about the needle above the shoulder I and between the par titions z". The other objects will be described further on.

By any suitable means there are secured to the outer walls of the earn-cylinder two standards, J, which in this instance are hollow, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, and receive depending studs from an arch, J, whereby said arch is supported above the cylinder. The arch is centrally perforated, for the reception of the sleeve K, and is provided with a set-screw, j, whereby said sleeve may be supported thereon at any desired point.

To the lower end of the sleeve K is secured a disk, K, Fig. 15, provided with a flange, is, forming an upper receptacle in the disk. In this receptacle (see Fig. 13) is a centrally-fixed plate, K, and apartially circumferential plate, K, which form together a concentric grooveJc.

Connected with the plate K is a movable cam-section, K, rigidly mounted upon a shaft, 75 having at its lower end a rock-arm, 7r, slot ted longitudinally, as at 7;, Fig. 14;.

Through the sleeve K is extended a rod, K, having an arm, 75G, secured to its lower end, and provided with a pin, It, projecting into the slot 7;.

At the upper end of the rod K is rigidly secured a thumb-nut, 7;", having a lug or lugs. 7;, on the under side thereof, which are adapt ed to enter notches in the upper end of the sleeve K. Now, it will be seen that when the rod K is rotated, so as to change one of its lugs from one notch to another in the sleeve, that the arm 7; operates the arm 7c", and this, through the medium of the shaft 75", operates the canrseetion K, so that the cam-groove 7; is extended outwardly from the center, and any heels of needles or other similar devices therein are caused to move outwardly, while an o osite movement of the nut k )roduces' an opposite movement of the cam-section, and any heels of needles or other devices the heels of which are therein are rendered inoperative. The rib-top dial L (the upper surface of which is shown in plan in Fig. 9, and the lower surface of which is shown in Fig. 10) is loosely mounted upon the sleeve K, so that the flange 7c of the disk K projects upwardly into a concentric groove, Z, formed in the under surface of the dial. Radial grooves Z are formed in the lower surface of the disk, and

similar grooves, Z, are formed in its upper surface. 111 the lower surface we locate and arrange what we have hereinafter designated as loopers M, each of which will be hereinafter more particularly described.

Z is a depending lug formed on the lower surface of the dial, the object and purpose of which is that by coming in contact with the lug 1 located at the upper portion and on the inner surface of the needle cylinder, motion may be conveyed from said cylinder to the dial. The grooves Z are for the reception of the well-known dial or rib'top needles. Above the dial, and rotatably secured to the sleeve, is a cap or disk, K having a radial slot, is, in its periphery, which permits of the introduction and withdrawal of needles from the upper surface of the dial without removing said cap from contact therewith. Within the cap is centrally-fixed cam-plate, K and a movable cam-section, K rigidly connected by means of a shaft to an operating-lever, K, having a downwardly-projecting pin adapted to enter seats or depressions in the upper surface of said cap, whereby the cam-section may be thrown outwardly and retained in said position, or inwardly and retained in a manner perfectly apparent for the purpose of rendering the dial-needles operative or inoperative, as desired The screw k Fig. 2, passes through a hub on the disk K and into a groove, is, and to the hub is secured a rigid bracket, K, having lugs between which a spring-catch, k, rests at or near its free end, while its fixed end is attached to the bracket, or it may be to the hub, in any suitable manner. The extreme free end of the spring-catch is adapted to take into notches a in the edge of a disk, N, which is secured to the top of the arch, or it may be formed as a part thereof, so that as the latch is lifted from one notch and carried to another the position of the eam-section K with relation to the needle-cylinder may be changed. In this instance the screws 02, which serve to secure the disk N to the arch, pass through slots (not shown) in said disk, whereby a still finer adjustment of the parts may be secured; but we do not limit ourselves to the exact details just described for the purpose of adjustment, as the disk may be formed as a part of the arch, (see Fig. 1,) or notches may be formed directly in the arch and at proper places for a desired adjustment or change in the relative position of the parts affected.

As before indicated, there is a purposein view in constructing adial-plate having an upper and lower series of grooves. This construction, in part, permits the use of what we have herein designated as loopers, and this construction we consider an important element of our invention in itself, in that,'as will be hereinafter more particularly set forth, it serves the important purpose of accomplishing a transfer of the loops from the dial-needles to the cylinder-needles, so that our machine can produce either a ribbed or' a plain knitted fabric. Each of the loopers, Figs. 24 to 27, consists of a main stem, in, having alateral projection or heel, 122/, similar to the same part of an ordinary needle, and having at the opposite end two spring-jaws, m", which are curved in opposite directions, so as to form a space sufficient to receive one of the cylinderneedles. The spring-jaws may be formed as a part of the looper, as shown in Fig. 25, or separate therefrom and secured thereto in any suit able manner. The curvature or outline of the jaws may be varied, as desired; but we have herein shown them as simple outward curves,in order that when introduced into the loop, as at x, which is carried by a dial-needle, as 9 it shall spread the same open and maintain it in that position untila cylinder-needle, as 3 has passed therethrough and through the jaws of the looper, so that the loop 00, being back of the latch of the needle 1, said latch is closed as the needle is withdrawn from the loop inwardly into the dial by any usual or desired means, and so that as the cylinder-needle y is withdrawn downwardly through the loop 00 the yarn 00, in which is about to be formed a new loop, is drawn through said loop at, and, if desired, the previously-formed loop 2 on the upper edge of the cylinder. As the dial-needle is inwardly withdrawn from its work, the earn extension K Fig. 12, is drawn inwardly, so that the needle remains inoperative, and in this manner the transformation from ribbed to plain work is accomplished. The project-ions m on the loopers depend into the receptacle of the disk K, and are projected from the dial and withdrawn therefrom, and made operative or inoperative in the same manner as are the dial-needles-that is, by the operation of the canrextension K through the medium of the rod K and the connecting mechanism thereof. In this instance a coil-spring is seated in a recess in the lower end of the sleeve K to serve simply to hold the lugs of the nut in a desired notch in the upper end of the sleeve.

0 represents the yarn-carrier, and is substantiall y of the usual construction as a whole; but in this instance the upper portion thereof is connected to a standard, 0 O, which is secured in any suitable manner to the ring B, so that it revolves continuously. The base 0 projects into theslot 13*, Fig. 1, formed in the edge of the ring B", so that for a certain portion of the rotation of the ring B the said ring B may remain at rest, as is customary in machines of this class. yarn-carrier O is adj ustably secured to an intermediate curved section, 0, by means of a. slot and screw, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, while the section 0 is in a like manner se- The upper section of the cured to the lower section, 0 whereby the height of the carrier may be suitably varied.

1n the construction thus far described in relation to the yarn-carrier, the particular manner in which it is supported and rotated, a substantially usual construction has been described in order to show the applicability of our improvements to ordinary machines of this class. \Ve prefer, however, to cast upon the cam-cylinder O, and at its upper edge, a series of lugs, O, as shown clearly in Figs. 8, 19, and 20. On the lugs we place the yarncarrier ring 0 and connect the same by ,a

post, G with the ring 13 Projections c are l position, thus closing communication between formed on the periphery of the yarn-carrier ring, for the purpose of determining the limit of independent movement of the ring 13* from that of the yarn-carrier ring. Any other wellknown mode of connecting the yarn-earrier ring with the geared ring may be selected, as we do not wish to limit ourself to the specific mode herein shown for communicating power from the gear-ring B to the yarn-carrier ring. In this instance the yarn-carrier is made vertically adjustable with relation to the needlecylinder by being secured to a block, 0, by a screw, G passing through a slot in the earricr, and diametrically by screw 0, seated in the ring, and fitting a 'threaded depending lug, C, of the block 0.

Between the needle-cylinder and the cam cylinder is a needle-ring, I, .which rests upon the shoulder l of the needle-cylinder and upon the top of the cameylinder, as clearly shown in Fig. 8, and is secured in position by means of a screw, p, one portion of the head of which is removed, so that when said portion is turned toward the ring it may be lifted from its seat, as is apparent. The portions p of the inner edge of the ring are removed to facilitate the removal of the needles when the gates G are partially withdrawn from the cylinder. The unremoved portions of the inner edge of the ring I? serve to maintain the needles in line with the cylinder, especially and advantageously at the time they are projected upwardly to take yarn from the carrier.

Another manner of supporting the needlering in place is by means of pins p'flproj ecting from its outer edge or periphery, and resting in grooves formed in the upper edge of the needle-cylinder, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 19.

The operation of the machine is as follows: Taking, for instance, an eighty-four needle cylinder, requiring forty-two long needles and forty-two short needles. Beginning with the long needles, they are inserted one by one in alternate needle-grooves in the cylinder I, when the portion 1) of the needle-ring P is in line with one of the gates C. Partially with drawing the upper one of the needle-gates, the needle is passed into the necdle-track C. New, by raising the gate immediately under said gate, the needle is passed through the passage c on to the lower gate 0, which being withdrawn allows the needle to enter the lower working track, 0 After the forty-two long needles are thus inserted the gate 0 is closed. The short and long needles,with their respective heelsin the upper and lower tracks, 0 and C, respectively, are shown in Fig. 8, the heels, however, not being in contact with the tracks. Next the anchor-lever D is lifted and moved laterally, as heretofore described, and he needles are passed to the lower idle track, a, at the lower portion of the cylinder, by re volving the cam-cylinder once. The anchorthe said track and the working track above it. Now the forty-two short needles are inserted into the alternate vacant slots in the needle cylinder in the same manner by simply withdrawing the gate C. Forty-two needles are now placed in the rib-top or dial-plate, and in the grooves formed in its upper surface, and a similar number of loopcrs are placed in the grooves formed in its under surface, and the parts of the rib-top mechanism are placed in relative operative position, and the entire mechanism adjusted by means of the disk, so that the needles in the rib-top dial, when proj ected, correspond with or pass over and closely by the grooves in the needle-cylinder into which the long needles were inserted. The machine is now ready for placing the yarn for knitting. It is necessary to use the ordinary set-up to commence the first stocking only, when the yarn is passed from one of the neodles in the upper part of the cylinder to the set-up, then from the set-up to one of the dialneedles, then back to one of the hooks of the set-up, then to another needle in the upper part of the needle-cylinder, and so on until the needles in the upper part of the cylinder and in the dial are full. The dial is new lowered within a short distance of the needle-cylinder, the distance these parts are from each other determining the length of the loop formed by the machine, and therefore the closeness of texture in the finished product of the machine. Power being applied, the dial and cam cylinder revolve in conjunction, the dial-needles and the short needles open ating together for the purpose of knitting to form ribbed product in the usual manner. In this operation the needles take the course already described in the upper track of the cyl inder-that is to say, along the track 0 upwardly over the latch E, downwardly against the fixed cam-section F, and then against the disk F, the same being adjusted for the desired tension, causing it to rotate at the time of greatest tension, thence up the incline of thedepression 0 and under the latch E to the main portion of the track 0, thence through repeated revolutions until the required length of the rib-top is knit. This being done, the dial-needles are thrown out of action and are withdrawn, and during the withdrawal of each of said needles, the loopcrs being thrown into action, enter and spread the loops thereon, so that the cylinder-needles pass therethrough and take the same and bind them to the successive product by means of the loop they form at the time of passing and repassing through the looper, as hereinbel'ore more spe cifically described. The dial, with its needles,

is now raised free from the needle-cylinder and the anchor-lever is raised and moved laterally in either direction, according to the direction of the rotation of the machine, so as to depress one or the other of the switches, D or D, in order to gather up and direct leverthcn is lowered and secured in an upright successively the needles in the lower idle ICO ' ure or product is being produced.

continuously during repeated revolutions, un-

til a sufficient length of the leg part of the stocking is knit.

To knit the heel part, all of the needles in one-half of the cylinder are directed into their idle tracks 0 c, and are thus thrown out of action. The machine is rotated backwardand forward past the raised needles, and the last needle in use is directed to its idle tracln Then the machine is run backward past the raised needles again, and the last needle on that side is directed to its idle track, and so on, backward and forward, throwing out a needle each time, until threefourths of all the needles are in the idle tracks. \Ve now begin to bring other needles into operation, one after another for each backward and forward rotation of the cylinder, until one-half of all the needles are in operation. Now all the needles are put into operation to knit the foot part of the stocking, until the toe part is reached, and that is knit in the same manner as the heel part, except that the work is done upon the opposite side of the machine from that on which the heel was knit. All the needles are now put out of operation-that is, directed into an idle track-with the exception of six or eight, and the machine is run back and forth to narrow for the toe portion, when the needles are successively brought into op eration and the work again widened until all are in use, and a complete cylindrical struct- The stocking is now completed, and all the needles in the cylinder carry loops, and the ribtop needles in the dial are now thrown into operation to again resume the production of the ribtop of the next succeeding stocking.

Before operating the dial-needles for ribtop work, one-half of the needles in the cylinder must be rendered inoperative, and the means provided herein for that purpose we deem another of the important features of our invention. The latch G in the lower track, G", is raised so that each of thelonger needles in that track is caused to travel up the latch sufficiently far to carry the latch of each needle through the loop carried by the needle; then as said needle travels down the incline of the fixed cam G the needle-latch is closed by the loop and the needle withdrawn therefrom. In this manner all of the long needles are stripped of their loops, and may be then conducted by the plate D and switch D into the idle track 0, thus leavingonly the shorter needles to co-operate with the dial-needles in of a setup after the first is produced.

producing the rib-top of the succeeding stocking. In this manner successive stockings are made upon onemachine, and without the use No set-up is required, nor transfer of loops by hand from one series of needles to another.

We do not confine our invention to the specific details of construction herein shown and described; but we may alter the same in any manner and to any extent within the skill of persons conversant in the construction of knitting-machines.

It is apparent that certain features of construction herein shown which are novel may be employed in that class of machines which use but a single set of needles in connection with rib-knitting devices, and other features may be transplanted from the particular machine herein shown and described to others of the same character, though not of the same specific class. We therefore deem such ause of our novel features as comprehended by our invention.

As means for preventing the needles from coming in contact with one of the fixed camone end of the bridge to be constantly held in contact with a disk, and to follow the same when adjusted to different positions. Ve do not limit ourselves to the use of this device, as the limits of the 0rdinarily-required adjustment of the disks are such as to render the bridge unnecessary.

Many modifications of our improvements will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the construction of lniitting-machines. In this instance we have rendered the machine compact-by providing a dial-plate the under surface of which is provided with grooves for the reception of the loopers, and we have adapted the loopers to those grooves by constructing the body portion thereof similar to the needles, as we deem this'a practicable and efficient method of operating any devices designed to perform the function which our loopers perform. We therefore deem a dial-plate so constructed as one of the important features of our invention.

By the use of a rod, K, and the connecting mechanism we are enabled tochange the position of the cam-section in the lower disk, without elevating the whole ribtop mechanism, and we therefore deem said rod and the construction connected therewith as another important feature of our invention.

Having described our invention and its operation, what we claim is 1. The combinationof a series of dial-needles, a series of eylindenneedles, a radial se ries of loopers, and independent cams for their conjoint operation, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of a series of cylinderneedles, a series of dial-needles, and a series of radially-reciprocativeloopers arranged parallel to the dial-needles, with independent cams for the operation of the two series of needles and the series of loopers,whereby loops formed on the dial-need les are successively transferred to the cylinder-needles by the loopers, substan tially as specified.

Adial-plate provided with radial grooves upon its upper and lower surfaces, whereby it is adapted to support and permit the reciprocation of loopers in the same direction as and parallel with the dial-needles, substantially as specified.

4. A dial-plate containing two separate series of radial grooves, one of. which series is provided with needles and the other with loopers, in combination with the needles and loop ers and separate inc ependent cams, substantially as specified.

5. A dial-plate provided with radial grooves upon its upper and lower surfaces, a series of needles, and the series of loopers arranged, as described, in opposite upper and lower grooves, and independent cams arranged above and below said dial, for operating said needles and loopers, and devices for operating said cams, the whole being constructed, arranged, and combined substantially as specified.

6. The combination, with a canrcylinder, a needle-cylinder, an arch supported by the former, a sleeve passing through said arch and provided with a dial-supporting disk having a looper-operating'cam provided with a movable section, of a rod passing through said sleeve and suitably connected with said movable section, whereby the latter may be thrown into and out of operative position from above the arch, substantially as specified.

7. The cen'ibination, with the dial and its needles and needle-operating cams, and with the dial supporting arch provided with notches, of a vertically-projecting latch secured to the dial and arranged at its upper end to enter the notches formed in the arch for the purpose of adjusting the relative position of the dial to that of the needle-cylinder and its needles, substantially as specified.

8. The combination, with a cam-cylinder provided with two sets of needle-operating cams having rotary points or sections, of an adjusting-nut and adjustable connecting devices between the rotary sections and said adjusting-nut, whereby one or both rotary sections may at will be adjusted, substantially as specified.

9. The combination of a can1-eylinder,slotted as described, and having fixed camsections, with rotary cam-sections mounted in said slots, slotted straps connecting said rotary camseetions, and means for adj ustably binding said straps together, and with an exteriorly-mounted adjusting device connected with one oi'said straps, substantially as specified.

10. The combination, with a cam-cylinder, of fixed cam-sections, an intermediate rotary cam-section, and a bridge or switch arranged across the space between said fixed and rotary cam-sections, substantially as specified.

11. The combination, with a cam-cylinder, of fixed cam-sections, an adjustable and rotary canrsection, and a pivoted bridge or fixed and rotary cam-sections, substantially as specified.

12. The combination ofa base provided with a bearing for a geared ring, a geared ring provided with a bearing for a cam-cylinder and for a yarn-carrier-operating ring, a cam-cylinder, and a yarn-carrier-operating ring, substantially as specified.

13. The combination, with a cam-cylinder provided with working tracks having depressions therein, and switches arranged at said depressions, of an anchor-lever pivoted to the outer side of said cylinder, shafts passing through the wall of said cylinder, upon which said switches are rigidly mounted, rock-arms, and links intermediate of said anchor-lever and shafts, the links being pivoted to said rock-arms, substantially as specified.

14. The combination, with a cam-cylinder provided with an upper and a lower working track adapted to operate two series of needles having heels, a needle-cylinder and needles, a fixed needle-operating cam arranged and depending above the lower needle-track, of a latch adapted to be raised, and forming when depressed a continuation of the lower working track, and operating when raised to direct the heels of the needles on said track against said depending fixed cam, substantially as specified.

15. The combination ofthe dial,dial-needles,

cylinder, an. upper and alower series of cylinder-needles, and a cam-cylinder provided with gan upper and a lower working track, a fixed idepending cam arranged in the lower workand forming when depressed a continuation of the lower track, and operating when raised .to direct the heels of the needles on said track against said depending fixed cam, together with means for giving motion to the parts specified, whereby loops are transferred from one set of needles to the other, and the lower needles are stripped of their loops, substantially as specified.

16. The combination of a cam-cylinder having two working tracks and flanges separating the same, and gates yieldingly depressed inwardly and forming portions of said flanges and arranged in a vertical line with each other, with a needle-cylinder having a circumferential shoulder and a complete needle-ring having a portion of its inner edge removed,

substantially as specified.

switch arranged across the space between the radial loop-transferring devices, the needle-- ing track, and a latch adapted to be raised,

17. The combination, with a cam-cylinder having two working tracks providedwith flanges separating the same, and gates yield- .ingly pressed inwardly and forming portions cylinder, with a ring, a standard secured to' said ring, a geared ring, said first-named ring being mounted upon and adapted to move independently of the geared ring, and with means for operating the parts, substantially as specified.

20. The combination of a cam-cylinder, a yarn-carrier ring mounted thereon, a block adapted to be adjusted crosswise on the ring, and ayarn-carrier adj ustably mounted on said block, substantially as specified.

. 21. A loop-transferring device comprising a body portion, a heel projecting at a right angle to the body, and terminal jaws constructed and arranged to embrace and permit the passage thereinbetween of a needle, substantially as specified.

22. The combination, with the cam-cylinder having an inclined slot in its wall, and provided with the working track or ledge O, having the opening one wall of which is inclined, of the gate C having one inclined edge, a set-screw mounted in said inclined slot in the wall of the cam-cylinder and connected with said gate, substantially as specified.

23. The combination, with the cam-cylinder provided with a working track, 0 of the triangular section D, anchor-lever D, rigidly connected thereto, the pivoted switches D and D shafts D D, arms D D*, bell-crank levers D D", rods D and springs D"*, substantially as specified.

24. The combination, with the cam-cylinder provided with slots f, of the fixed cam-section F, the rotary cam-section F, having the spindle f, the sleeve f, the pin f and the nut F substantially as shown and described.

25. The combination of the slotted and grooved cam-cylinder G, the cam-sections F F, the sleeves f, nuts F, the slottedstraps f, stud f andthe nut F substantially as shown and described.

26. The combination of the base A, having the brackets A the needle cylinder I, the geared ring 13, the slotted yarn-carrier-operating ring B", the post G cam-cylinder G,' 65 supported on the ring B, and the yarn-carrier ring 0 provided with the projections 0 substantially as shown and described.

27. The combination of the base A, geared ring B, ring B standard G yarn-carrier ring G, and cam-cylinder G, substantially as specified.

28. The combination of the sleeve K, disk K rod K arm K, having pin 70 and arm k, and having slot If, shaft k and the cam-sec. 7 tion K, substantially as shown and described.

29. The combination, with the arch J, sleeve K, disk K, and its cams, and with the dial L, needles 1, and loopers M, of the cap K and its cams, substantially as shown and described.

30. The combination, with the needle-cylinder I and the needles 3 therein, and with the rib-top dial L and the needles y therein,of the loopers M and devices for operating the cy1inder-needles and theloopers, substantially 8 5 as specified.

31. The combination of the gate 0, a cant cylinder having a flange and slot in line with said flange to receive said gate, a slotted spring adapted to bear at its ends upon the 0 outer surface of said gate, a bracket, 0, having head 0 adapted to bear on the middle of the spring and at the sides of the gate, and having a post, 0 adapted to enter a slot, 0 in the gate, substantially as shown and described. 5

32. The cap K having a dial-needle-operating cam, a bracket, K, and spring-latch K, in combination with a dial and its support, and with a notched arch, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

LEWIS F. GRAMMES. GIDEON R. IBAOH.

IOO

Witnesses:

J AOOB D. BURGER, EDWARD X. RENINGER. 

